Shows from September 2011 to Present Part 15

 

29. Annie – January 20, 2013

                The classic songs – It’s a Hard Knock Life”, “Maybe” “Little Girls”, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and the popular anthem “Tomorrow” are a few standards that impacted a new generation of Broadway.  Since its inception in 1977, the story of a red headed orphan named Annie has touched Broadway audiences of all generations.  Its legacy expands to two movie versions (1982 and 1999 respectively) and inspiring kids to reach their Broadway dreams.  Annie is often considered one of the dream roles for kids.  Its 2013 and Annie is back home in “N.Y.C.” and on Broadway where she belongs in a new revival that opened at the Palace Theatre. 

                Based on the popular comic strip, Annie tells the extraordinary story of a little orphan (Title character played by Lilla Crawford) who ends up in the lap of luxury with Depression-era billionaire Oliver Warbucks (at this performance I attended, Merwin Foard (who would normally be on as F.D.R. was on as Oliver Warbucks). Unlike most of the other children at Miss Hannigan (Katie Finneran)'s orphanage, spunky Annie believes that her parents are still alive and will one day return to claim her. So when Mr. Warbucks offers to adopt her, she asks the most powerful man in America to help find her real mom and dad instead, and he agrees. Warbucks' whopping reward for Annie's parents attracts the attention of con artists Rooster (Clarke Thorell), Lily (J. Elaine Marcos) and the wicked Miss Hannigan, who hatch a plot to kidnap Annie and take the $50,000 reward. But don't fret: This classic family musical has a happy ending for Annie, Daddy Warbucks and the whole gang. 

                Something I forgot to mention is that Annie is often someone’s first show that they do and ironically it was also mine yours truly first show I ever participated in (it was the junior version but it still counts).  In addition to being in it and seeing a production of the show in Madison Square Garden a few years ago, I really wanted to see Annie on Broadway in NYC.  The songs are classic musical theatre and are timeless.  It’s a story that has withstood the test of time.  Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography is a mix of classic (like tap dancing at the finale “A New Deal for Christmas” and inventive (such as attaching mops to the kids during “Hard Knock Life”).  Its fitting for all ages.  Don’t worry, they still have Sandy the dog (credit to Sunny the Dog who was rescued by animal trainer William Berloni 24 hours before her time at the shelter was coming to an end.  Berloni also rescued the original Sandy from the original production) and Sunny is a perfect choice to play the iconic canine partner for Annie. 

                The cast is stellar.  As the title character Annie herself, Lilla Crawford is a perfect choice to play the red headed orphan and knocks all the star songs like “Tomorrow” and “Maybe”.  She may be young but she packs a punch.  Watch out world.  As the villain, Miss Hannigan, Katie Finneran was actually pretty good as the child hating caretaker.  As Daddy Warbucks, Merwin Foard has stellar vocals and made good acting choices (I think it might have been his first show on as the lead as I saw the cast applauding him at curtain call.  By the time, this has been written Merwin Foard has passed away in March 2020.  Merwin thank you for performance as Warbucks and your contribution to theater).  Brynn O’Malley is another standout as secretary Grace Farrell.  Clarke Thorell and J. Elaine Marcos are an incredible duo as Rooster and Lily.  Shoutout to the girls who played the orphans (Emily Rosenfeld, Georgi James, Jaidyn Young, Junah Jang and Tyrah Skye Odoms) who managed to do this show at this young age and have a sense of professionalism with all of the adults who are pros at their craft. 

Overall, Annie is a classic, its timeless.  It’s perfect for the family even the young ones.  Highly recommend. 

 

30.  Forever Dusty – February 15, 2013

                There are shows that are your parents’ generation that you get to see.  My parents know of it and later they introduce it to me.  Sometimes you may never know what songs will appear.  That is the case for the new musical Forever Dusty which chronicles the life of singer Dusty Springfield which is playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages. 

                Forever Dusty tells the story of Mary O'Brien (Kristen Holly Smith), who grew up to be a musical superstar known as Dusty Springfield. See how this young Irish girl with a big soulful voice took the world by storm. The show spotlights Dusty's immense talents and decade-spanning career in pop music, as well as her passionate relationship with female reporter (played by Christina Sajous) and her lifelong battle with drugs and alcohol. 

                I never knew anything about Dusty Springfield nor heard music but was surprised to hear songs “Wishin’ and Hopin’” and “Son of a Preacher Man” in the show.  I heard those songs in a different show.  I think I would give it a second chance.  Kristen Holly Smith (who also co-wrote the book) embodies the spirit of Dusty Springfield.  After the show, you can meet Smith in the lobby in full costume for an autograph and a picture.  Also a huge shoutout to Christina Sajous (of Broadway’s American Idiot who does a great rendition of “Tell Him”), Coleen Sexton (a former Elphaba from the Wicked tour), Benim Foster and Sean Patrick Hopkins who played many featured characters in Dusty’s life.  The show fits well in this tiny little Off-Broadway theatre.

It’s a good show.  A little mature for the under 13 crowd.  If you’re an old soul you or if you have parents from that generation that know the music, go see it.